Published: Thursday, September 5, 2013 at 4:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, September 4, 2013 at 9:58 p.m.

For the next few weeks, "Cats" will not only prowl the stage at the Flat Rock Playhouse, they'll be in the parking lot of the Playhouse Downtown.

The Broadway hit "Cats" premieres tonight at the Hendersonville theater at 125 S. Main St., and for nine of the shows, Blue Ridge Humane Society will hold cat adoptions in the parking lot adjacent to the venue.

The Humane Society will offer adoptions from 3:30 to 5 p.m. at the "Catinees" — matinee performances scheduled for this Thursday and Saturday, Sept. 12, 14, 19, 26 and 28, and Oct. 3 and 5.

"The Blue Ridge Humane Society is thrilled to have another opportunity to showcase our animals through the generosity of the Flat Rock Playhouse," Lutrelle O'Cain, director of the Blue Ridge Humane Society, said in a news release. "We have many beautiful cats and kittens waiting to find their special someone. Flat Rock Playhouse has been extremely helpful to us in providing a venue at The Rock and now downtown with the production of 'Cats.' Like the cats in the musical, our shelter is full of animals looking for a second chance."

The partnership is a natural fit, said Playhouse Managing Director Hillary Hart.

"We are so thrilled to have the opportunity to deepen our relationship with our fellow nonprofit, the Blue Ridge Humane Society," she said. "They are such wonderful community partners and we simply could not pass up this natural fit. We hope that our audiences will leave Playhouse Downtown uplifted by the story and music of 'Cats,' and they will then take the opportunity to walk next door and consider adopting a real one."

Since "Cats" first opened on the West End stage in 1981, it has grossed more than $1 billion. The plot is based on T.S. Eliot's "Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats," and the award-winning music was composed by Andrew Lloyd Webber. "Cats" is the second-longest-running show in Broadway history.

Performances will be staged Wednesday through Saturday at 8 p.m., with matinees at 2 p.m. on Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays. Tickets are $40 and can be purchased by calling the Playhouse box office at 828-693-0731 or online at www.flatrockplayhouse.org.

<p>For the next few weeks, "Cats" will not only prowl the stage at the Flat Rock Playhouse, they'll be in the parking lot of the Playhouse Downtown.</p><p>The Broadway hit "Cats" premieres tonight at the Hendersonville theater at 125 S. Main St., and for nine of the shows, Blue Ridge Humane Society will hold cat adoptions in the parking lot adjacent to the venue.</p><p>The Humane Society will offer adoptions from 3:30 to 5 p.m. at the "Catinees" — matinee performances scheduled for this Thursday and Saturday, Sept. 12, 14, 19, 26 and 28, and Oct. 3 and 5.</p><p>"The Blue Ridge Humane Society is thrilled to have another opportunity to showcase our animals through the generosity of the Flat Rock Playhouse," Lutrelle O'Cain, director of the Blue Ridge Humane Society, said in a news release. "We have many beautiful cats and kittens waiting to find their special someone. Flat Rock Playhouse has been extremely helpful to us in providing a venue at The Rock and now downtown with the production of 'Cats.' Like the cats in the musical, our shelter is full of animals looking for a second chance."</p><p>The partnership is a natural fit, said Playhouse Managing Director Hillary Hart.</p><p>"We are so thrilled to have the opportunity to deepen our relationship with our fellow nonprofit, the Blue Ridge Humane Society," she said. "They are such wonderful community partners and we simply could not pass up this natural fit. We hope that our audiences will leave Playhouse Downtown uplifted by the story and music of 'Cats,' and they will then take the opportunity to walk next door and consider adopting a real one."</p><p>Since "Cats" first opened on the West End stage in 1981, it has grossed more than $1 billion. The plot is based on T.S. Eliot's "Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats," and the award-winning music was composed by Andrew Lloyd Webber. "Cats" is the second-longest-running show in Broadway history.</p><p>Performances will be staged Wednesday through Saturday at 8 p.m., with matinees at 2 p.m. on Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays. Tickets are $40 and can be purchased by calling the Playhouse box office at 828-693-0731 or online at www.flatrockplayhouse.org.</p>